Three Island residents walked away from the Tisbury selectmen’s meeting this past week with the opportunity to buy a home close to downtown Vineyard Haven for a dramatically reduced price.
As of 2023, an affordable house for the average Island family — costing less than 30 per cent of annual income in mortgage, taxes, and insurance — should cost $400,000. But the median single-family home on the Vineyard, as of this year, costs just over $1.3 million.
Members of the community and participants in the project gathered Wednesday for a ribbon cutting at Carl Widdiss Way, with the incoming tenants set to move in Friday.
For years, Islanders have prayed for more affordable housing. A new plan in Aquinnah turns to a house of worship for an answer.
The Martha’s Vineyard Commission this week declined to send a proposed Oak Bluffs veteran affordable housing complex to a full public hearing, helping fast track the project in its attempts to get funding.
Aquinnah voters Tuesday also approved the town's $7.1 million budget and backed funding for town building repairs.
Housing secretary Ed Augustus will be on-Island on June 4, the last stop of his 12-municipality tour around Massachusetts as the state plans to create a five-year housing plan.
